Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Wichita, KS

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Kansas Department of Revenue — Retailer's Sales Tax License

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Kansas. Kansas charges a 6.5% state sales tax; local jurisdictions may impose additional taxes. Register with the Kansas Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Wichita / Sedgwick County MABCD — Plumbing Contractor License and Trade Certificate

   Kansas has no statewide plumbing contractor license and the Kansas Department of Labor does not administer one. In Wichita, plumbing is licensed by MABCD, the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department jointly operated by the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Two things are needed: a Plumbing trade contractor license for the company (trade contractor licenses expire December 31 of every odd year), and a Master or Journeyman Plumber trade certificate for the individual, which requires documented field experience plus a passing score of 75 percent or better on the approved ICC or IAPMO exam. MABCD requires a certificate of liability insurance with at least $300,000 general liability naming MABCD as certificate holder, and does not reciprocate with other jurisdictions or with state testing.

   Official government source

   $35 for a Master or Journeyman trade certificate (new or renewal). Contractor license fees are set in MABCD's published fee schedule, Table A of the Fees page. ICC/IAPMO exam fees are paid separately to the testing body.·MABCD states that all license applications go through a review process that can take up to two weeks. Trade certificate renewals open September 1.

   $35 for a Master or Journeyman trade certificate (new or renewal). Contractor license fees are set in MABCD's published fee schedule, Table A of the Fees page. ICC/IAPMO exam fees are paid separately to the testing body.

   MABCD states that all license applications go through a review process that can take up to two weeks. Trade certificate renewals open September 1.

2. City of Wichita — No General Business License for Most Businesses

   Wichita does not require a general business license. The city's own Business Licenses page states it 'does not require a standard business license for all businesses that operate within the City limits — only for certain businesses,' and lists those categories: adult entertainment, advertising, animals, cemeteries, entertainment, lodging and residential (including Home Occupation and short-term rentals), sales and services (liquor, massage therapy, mobile food vendor, pawnbroker, precious metal dealer, secondhand dealer, tobacco, transient merchant and similar), security, special events, transportation, and wells. Businesses outside those categories need no city business license. Two things this does not cover: contractors and building permits go through MABCD, the joint City of Wichita/Sedgwick County building department, and state occupational licenses (cosmetology, barbering, real estate, insurance) apply regardless of city licensing.

   Official government source

   No fee for business types the city does not license. Published examples for those it does: Home Occupation $35/year, mobile food vendor $350/year per vehicle ($50 per special event per vehicle), massage therapist $75 per 2 years, massage therapy business $200 per 2 years. MABCD trade certificates are $35.·Not applicable for unlicensed business types. Wichita advises about 2 weeks for a Home Occupation renewal and 30 days for massage licenses; MABCD says contractor license review can take up to two weeks.

   No fee for business types the city does not license. Published examples for those it does: Home Occupation $35/year, mobile food vendor $350/year per vehicle ($50 per special event per vehicle), massage therapist $75 per 2 years, massage therapy business $200 per 2 years. MABCD trade certificates are $35.

   Not applicable for unlicensed business types. Wichita advises about 2 weeks for a Home Occupation renewal and 30 days for massage licenses; MABCD says contractor license review can take up to two weeks.

3. Wichita / Sedgwick County MABCD — Plumbing Permit (per project)

   A separate plumbing permit must be pulled from MABCD, the joint City of Wichita/Sedgwick County building department, for each job, with inspections on completion. Only a company holding an MABCD Plumbing trade contractor licence can pull it, and the individual performing the work must hold a Master or Journeyman Plumber trade certificate — earned with documented field experience plus a 75 percent or better score on an approved ICC or IAPMO exam. MABCD requires a certificate of liability insurance with at least $300,000 general liability naming MABCD as certificate holder, and it does not reciprocate with other jurisdictions or with state testing. Trade contractor licences expire December 31 of every odd year.

   Official government source

   Plumbing permit fees follow MABCD's published Table H rather than a flat range; the Building Plan/Permit Fee Calculator gives a project estimate. The Master or Journeyman trade certificate is $35, and contractor licence fees are in Table A.·MABCD publishes no per-permit turnaround. Its published benchmark is that licence applications go through a review process that can take up to two weeks, so get licensed before scheduling work.

   Plumbing permit fees follow MABCD's published Table H rather than a flat range; the Building Plan/Permit Fee Calculator gives a project estimate. The Master or Journeyman trade certificate is $35, and contractor licence fees are in Table A.

   MABCD publishes no per-permit turnaround. Its published benchmark is that licence applications go through a review process that can take up to two weeks, so get licensed before scheduling work.

Official Sources

• Kansas Department of Labor — Plumbing Contractor License
• City of Wichita City Treasurer

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